On Bended Knee or Jumping for Joy!?

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 

My favorite childhood tradition was soaking in a Sunday afternoon of Handel’s Messiah performed by the West Virginia symphony orchestra. It literally took up the entire afternoon when you consider the intermission. We typically went the first weekend in December. My dad loved it because it was free and he could sleep sitting up anywhere anytime. But, most importantly it truly made my mom happy. When I listen even now my body literally melts. I don’t know exactly what they’re singing most of the time, but I know Who they’re singing about and it’s brilliantly WONDERFUL music. 

Messiah Sundays kicked off the Christmas season for our family. If we didn’t have our tree up - we would put it up that very night and we would be found humming one of the more familiar songs.  

Yesterday I was introduced to a new song (to me) that popped up on the radio. Have you heard it? It invites you to “come and adore Him on bended knee.” Chris Tomlin’s His Name Is Wonderful:

“Come see the baby, crib for a bed

His mother Mary lay down His sweet head

The starlight was shining, the wisemen were led

Come see the baby and worship Him

His name is Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God, Prince of Peace

Everlasting Father, Emmanuel

Holy One, Son of God

Savior of the world

Come and adore Him on bended knee

He came to ransom someone like me

What could I offer, what could I bring

Come and adore Him, King of Kings

And the greatness of His reign will never end

Let there be peace on earth and all goodwill to men

Come let us worship Him”

Quite the opposite of Messiah, yet they have so much in common. Both give you a beautiful picture of Jesus, why He came and invites you to worship Him in all His fullness. Messiahends with a giant magnetic ending of the Hallelujah Chorus that draws you to your feet in praise. It’s practically irresistible - the feeling of being in that room with the symphony bringing you to that moment. “King of kings and Lord of lords, glory, hallelujah! And He shall reign forever and ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!!!”  

No matter which way you worship - on bended knee or jumping to your feet to shout “hallelujah” - it’ll be a gift for Him and He will take it. He will love it. He deserves your praise. Will you give it to Him this Christmas?

Merry Christmas!!! We love you and are honored to journey alongside you with Jesus. 

*Taken from LIFT weekly email. 

Christmas Season 2021

I sincerely apologize for not getting out the regularly scheduled Tuesday evening email to y'all. As we all know this has been an extra crazy month... or year... but, I was reminded that each day, in fact - every breath is a gift from God. Chris tested positive for Covid on our granddaughter's birthday and we were unable to celebrate with her. That was a confusing 23 days after I had tested positive. We thought he had dodged my germ. But, have come to hear from so many others that the germ is everywhere! Yesterday he tested negative and feels good. Please let us know if and how we can pray for you or drop anything off at your door if you're experiencing illness or are hungry! I'm happy to cook for you! And since I've been quarantined what seems like this entire month - I'd be happy to drive ANYwhere! Seriously, don't hesitate to ask if you are in need. :D

I want to say that this was a dreary Christmas and it truly felt like a dreary one... it was the first time in my life we were unable to fondue together as a family on Christmas Eve. But, as I sat on my couch on Christmas Day alone as Chris didn't move until almost 5 pm... I wallered in my self-pity - one phrase kept coming to mind. And at first I was cynical about it (even shaking my fists at heaven), but as the hours passed I melted into a ball and fell into His arms. That phrase was, "this is the day the Lord has made." I kept asking myself, "but, how can I rejoice and be glad in it?" I cried more than I care to admit. But, it was in that crying that the Lord soothed my heart, pulled me close and changed my mind. I began to recall how very faithful He has been through our lives. Even in the hard times, He's been near. Here's the chapter I read and reread all day on Christmas: 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let all Israel repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” Let all who fear the Lord repeat: “His faithful love endures forever.” In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die. Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory! The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 118 

If I would put a musical score to my Christmas Day 2021, it may be these in this order: 
Pam Thum's Life Is Hard  
Matt Maher's Alive and Breathing 
Crowder's Good God Almighty  

Good God Almighty, I hope you'll find me (next time) - praising Your Name no matter what comes! And may I not forget the lessons that Christmas 2021 brought me... You are Good. Your faithful love endures even little ole me shaking my fists at heaven. You love me even in my darkest hours. 

*Taken from LIFT weekly email.